BREAKING: In a stunning conclusion to the Ballarat Football League Henderson Medal count, Jake Egan of the Sunbury Lions has been crowned the competition’s best player. Egan’s remarkable performance in the final rounds propelled him to victory, finishing with 28 votes, just two ahead of two-time winner Brett Bewley, who ended the count with 26 votes.
Egan’s surge came as he polled five best-on-ground awards in the last five rounds, despite Bewley leading by a significant margin earlier in the season. The tension peaked in the final round when Bewley did not play, allowing Egan to capitalize. “I’m pretty pumped at the moment,” Egan exclaimed following the announcement. “I thought I might go alright but not to that extent.”
The drama unfolded against the backdrop of Egan’s strong season, where he had to elevate his game after teammate Josh Guthrie was sidelined due to injury. Egan credited Guthrie as an essential support, stating, “He is a star… We work well off each other.” With Guthrie’s contribution of 15 votes earlier in the season, Egan’s victory is a testament to their teamwork.
The Sunbury Lions celebrated a commanding win over Melton in the final round, which set the stage for Egan’s victory. In a twist of fate, Egan received the maximum three votes in the final match, while teammate Tony Lockett Medal winner Jake Sutton added two votes. Egan remarked, “It was a weird one… I’m thankful it fell the way that it did.”
As Egan basks in his Henderson Medal glory, his focus now shifts to the upcoming grand final against Darley on Saturday. “I’m pretty pumped,” he said, emphasizing the excitement within the club. With seven teams competing in the grand final, the atmosphere at the Lions is electric.
In addition to his individual accolade, Egan was named in the team of the year alongside Sutton and Lions skipper Tyson Lever. The Lions are rallying around their star player, eager for a championship victory to cap off a remarkable season.
On the netball court, Simona Di Filippo finished just three votes shy of her third consecutive McLean Medal, ending with 27 votes, while Maddy Selmon of North Ballarat took home the title. Di Filippo, along with teammates Tayla Honey, Sarah Croft, and Rebecca Hicks, was also named in the A-grade team of the year.
With the grand final looming, all eyes will be on Egan and the Sunbury Lions as they aim for victory. As excitement builds, the club is eager to celebrate what could be an unforgettable triumph. Stay tuned for further updates as the season reaches its thrilling conclusion.
